Shadow of the Wind
by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
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Book Summary Information
Author: Carlos Ruiz ZafonEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-10-05
ISBN: 0753820250
Number of pages: 528
Publisher: Orion Paperbacks
Book Reviews of Shadow of the Wind
Book Review: A Great Novel
Summary: 5 Stars
The "Shadow of the Wind" follows a young boy, Daniel Sempere, on his captivating journey through life. The novel begins just at the end of the Spanish Civil War. Zafon instantly let's the reader inside Daniel's head to let the audience know what he is thinking. Daniel is worried because he cannot remember what his deceased mother looked like. Seeing Daniel's anguish, his father decides to take him to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, in efforts to cheer him up. Whoever enters this place is required to take one book from it, and protect that book for as long as the protector may live. Upon entering the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, Daniel wanders around looking for the book that will be his. Upon seeing Julian Carax's "The Shadow of the Wind", Daniel knows he has found his book. However, Daniel does not know what he has gotten himself into, the novel and author he has chosen has a lot of history behind it. Throughout the rest of the novel Daniel discovers the dangerous history behind the book he has chosen, and sworn to protect. Along the way Daniel picks up a homeless man that becomes his best friend, and a beautiful older girl who is engaged to a soldier. Both of Daniel's new friends not only help him discover the mystery behind his book, but also add to it.
Although it is a long book, "The Shadow of the Wind" is a quick read due to its captivating plot and the author's ability to make the reader want to keep reading. The author takes advantage of using what was socially accepted back in the 1940s as a catalyst for the story. Also, Zafon does a good job with both of Daniel's love interests throughout the story.
While I highly recommend this novel, like everything else it has its flaws. For one, the author is so descriptive and the novel is so long that it is hard to keep track of all the characters and their characteristics. Some characters may not be mentioned for 300 pages and by the time you read about them again it is hard to remember who they are. My biggest regret is having to stop reading and searching through the book to see when a character was introduced just so I can re-familiarize myself with him or her. I feel as if the book would have served its purpose better if it had been around a 300-400 page novel. Also, I would have been more satisfied if my favorite sub-plot, like between Daniel and his love interest Bea and Daniel and his homeless companion Fermin were explored further.
However, overall "The Shadow of the Wind" is a novel I strongly suggest for all readers.
Summary of Shadow of the Wind
Hidden in the heart of the old city of Barcelona is the 'cemetery of lost books', a labyrinthine library of obscure and forgotten titles that have long gone out of print. To this library, a man brings his 10-year-old son Daniel one cold morning in 1945. Daniel is allowed to choose one book from the shelves and pulls out 'La Sombra del Viento' by Julian Carax. But as he grows up, several people seem inordinately interested in his find. Then, one night, as he is wandering the old streets once more, Daniel is approached by a figure who reminds him of a character from La Sombra del Viento, a character who turns out to be the devil. This man is tracking down every last copy of Carax's work in order to burn them. What begins as a case of literary curiosity turns into a race to find out the truth behind the life and death of Julian Carax and to save those he left behind. A page-turning exploration of obsession in literature and love, and the places that obsession can lead.Literature & Fiction Books
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